Project Overview/ Project Work:

The main task of the work includes the rearrangement of two parts of the garden’s territory. The volunteers will have to take care of the garden and flower-beds, to cut bushes, take away rubbish and to dig up ground. Also they will plant, and gather berries and fruits. One of the possible activities of the volunteers is helping to lead excursions in the garden. The new site of the Botanical Garden, designed for people with disabilities.

PLEASE NOTE: Your work starts after breakfast and your working time is usually composed of 4-6 hours per day. However if you are willing to work more, you are heartily welcome by us. The volunteers are expected to work six hours per day. And be ready for manual labor. During working hours, you will have break time for lunch and a cup of tea. We encourage you to work closely with the project staff so that you can easily adjust in the new environment.

Sample Workcamp Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival at Moscow Airport / Train station, from where you will be transferred to your respective accommodation. Your 1st day will be a rest day, so that you can easily recover and refresh yourself after a long journey. But at nights, you can roam around and enjoy the beautiful place by exploring your surroundings.

Note: If any volunteer is not able to arrange their flight dates according to our program date, then please let us know, so that we can do suitable arrangements for you, however it is very rare to arrange separate time table for you, so it is advised to come before the given date, because we do not want any inconvenience and hurdle for our participants.

Day 2: You will be welcomed at GWC Russia Office, where you will be given a short introduction about history, region and information of GWC. You will also be introduced about the local people, local conditions, local language & culture, host family, safety & climate and social or political issues.

Day 3: You will leave for the project site where you will meet with the local villagers and will introduced about the project and environment.

Day 4 – 9: Work in Project (Refer Project Overview & Project Work for details)

Day 10: This is the time to relax and refresh by taking tour to village site and having picnic with local staff and your fellow volunteers. You will be able to make a tour of Moscow, to visit the Kremlin and the Red Square, to visit other Moscow botanic gardens and the protected natural territories of the Moscow city and also famous Moscow museums. Different sport games like football, volleyball, ping-pong and swimming are also available for the volunteers.

Day 13 – 14: Visit and explore the beautiful places of Russia along with the group of participants of almost your own age. This will also help you to share your new experience with each other.

Day 15: Completion of project, final experience synthesis and Farewell program will be conducted at the end in which you will be given time to recall and share important experiences and lessons. During this, a short program of certificate distribution also takes place. Once the program is over, the group of volunteers (youth participants) will leave for departure.

Note: This is just a suggested, sample itinerary and might be changed by the country coordinator. However, you will receive the final workcamp itinerary upon your arrival in the host country. The program coordinator will also provide you day-to-day work schedule before the workcamp start.

SKILL AND QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

For participating in our workcamp project, you need to be minimum 17 years and maximum 26 years of age. No upper age limit will be accepted in any workcamps.

You do not need any special skills, qualification or prior experience to join our workcamps. However; you should meet following criteria.

You should have an open mind, flexible attitude, compassion and eagerness to work with local people.

You are also expected to be imaginative, hardworking, self-motivated, have initiative, patience and love for other cultural people.

Volunteers should be able to speak medium English and relatively in good health.

Note: If volunteer under the age of 18, you need to supply both a permission letter and volunteer application signed by a parent or legal guardian giving you consent to volunteer.

FOOD & ACCOMMODATION

GWC partner organization will manage your accommodation, food and supervision while you work in a project. Although a beautiful, friendly place, you should not expect luxurious accommodations because we want to feel you the real Russian culture. You will be living in the dormitory of the Moscow State University. Bathroom and kitchen are available. You’ll be served 3 times (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) meals a day. The breakfast and dinners have to be cooked by volunteers themselves however lunch will be provided in the canteen.